Ocean Defenders Alliance’s new year has started off with a bang! We just received our largest financial contribution to date—from Mr. Bob Barker: a man who cares deeply about animals of all kinds, and a man who understands that even though the marine debris that ODA removes is "out of sight," it should not be "out of mind"…because although unseen—abandoned fishing gear kills ocean life every day.

Please join us in celebration of the exciting and productive year ahead! Right now, we are finalizing plans which will allow ODA to double our debris-removing capacity.

Although this grant will allow us to get equipment that will make our efforts easier, we invite the public to join with Mr. Barker in support of our work! By donating to ODA, and becoming a part of our actions, you will help save birds, fish, seals, whales, and all delicate marine life on the coastal ocean floor: we need you to help keep our boat at sea, and our crews equipped and doing what we do best.

Thank you Mr. Barker for your incredible support!

Please read the Press Release issued today:

January 15, 2013, Huntington Beach, CA - Ocean Defenders Alliance (ODA) is proud to announce that long-time television personality-and lifetime animal advocate-Mr. Bob Barker has made a very generous donation to support their life-saving work off the California coast. The price certainly is right for ODA, as Mr. Barker's generous support will allow the group to acquire a much more efficient vessel and other major equipment-and enhance ODA's removal of deadly marine debris from the ocean floor.

Mr. Barker, in reference to ODA's work, stated, "We are all deeply concerned when we hear about whales, sea birds, and other animal victims killed by abandoned fishing gear. This is an 'out of sight, out of mind issue,' and it is time for exploitation industries to stop using our magnificent oceans as a dumping ground. Marine debris is a critical issue: Ocean Defenders Alliance is fighting for ocean life, and ultimately this planet's survival. I am proud to sponsor ODA's work, and I hope the public will join me!"

Captain Kurt Lieber, Founder and President of the decade-old Ocean Defenders Alliance, was ecstatic when informed of Mr. Barker's pledge of support, "This is a game-changer for ODA. We will be able to get better equipment now, and have an even greater impact from this point forward. Thanks to Mr. Barker, our awesome volunteer crews will be able to save more lives in 2013 than ever before. I am humbled, I am grateful, and ODA is empowered!"

ODA's plans for the funds donated by Mr. Barker: a more cost effective boat with a dive compressor, underwater camera gear to better document (and educate the public about) their activities, a new multi-media computer for ODA's office, diver propulsion units that will increase safety & mobility, and a small reserve for boat maintenance. According to Captain Lieber, "We can now conduct more debris removal dives, which in addition to educating the public, is what ODA is really all about."

ODA is in a much-improved position now, but diving and operating a boat is expensive, so Mr. Lieber shared his hope that the public will join Mr. Barker in helping defend marine life by becoming educated and by making donations via ODA's website.